The Kids Alliance for Better Care (KidsABC) is a joint initiative between Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (Children’s), Mercer University School of Medicine (MUSM), and the Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center (GRHIC). KidsABC provides avenues of support for Georgia’s rural pediatricians and rural family practitioners to keep care for kids close to home. Practitioners involved in pediatric health care have opportunities to network, learn from their peers, and complete trainings facilitated by subject matter experts.
Free CME Opportunities
The Pediatric Alliance Webinar Series (PAWS) is a free monthly training program offering one-hour virtual sessions led by subject matter experts, allowing providers to earn CME and CNE credits. Topics covered include hypertension, arthritis, epilepsy and more. PAWS complements this with peer-led rural pediatric case studies and in-person continuing education conferences.
Newsletter
Rural Pediatric News is published monthly and highlights training and continuing medical education options, recommended reading, physician spotlights, seasonal health and wellness information to share with patients, and more.
Pediatric Alliance Webinar Series
All sessions are 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Virtual link will be emailed to registrants.
January 8 | Hematology–Sickle Cell Disease: Common Clinical Manifestations | Dr. Neha Desai, FAAP
Dr. Desai is a pediatric hematologist/oncologist at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. She also serves as assistant professor of pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine. Dr. Desai earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine prior to receiving her residency training at the University of South Carolina. She completed her fellowship training at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine/University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland. Dr. Desai’s clinical interests include benign hematology with an emphasis on sickle cell disease and community outreach.
February 12 | Hypertension and Heart Disease | Dr. Michelle Wallace and Dr. C. Wesley Lindsey
Dr. Wallace is a pediatric cardiologist with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Cardiology and the medical director for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Cardiology Preventive Cardiology program. She is an assistant professor of pediatrics at Emory School of Medicine and adjunct assistant professor of pediatrics at Morehouse School of Medicine. Dr. Wallace received her medical degree from Morehouse School of Medicine, completed her pediatric residency at Children’s National Medical Center and completed her cardiology fellowship at Duke University Medical Center. Outside of preventive cardiology, her clinical interests include management of congenital heart disease from fetal stage to adolescence. She has been honored with the Emory School of Medicine Site Based Award for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and the Emory Women of Excellence Award for Distinguished Leadership. Dr. Wallace has also been recognized over multiple years by Georgia Trend Magazine and Atlanta Magazine as a Top Doctor.
Dr. Lindsey earned his medical degree from East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine, where he completed a dual residency in adult and pediatric medicine. He completed his fellowship in pediatric cardiology at Emory University. Dr. Lindsey is board certified in pediatric cardiology and works in the Fetal Cardiology Program at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Cardiology, providing fetal diagnoses of CHD and counseling for expectant parents to prepare for complex births. He also serves on the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition.
March 12 | Nutrition and Healthy Eating | Wendy Palmer, MS, RDN, LD, CHES
Palmer is a registered dietitian and certified health education specialist with more than 20 years of experience in the field of community and child wellness. As a manager, Wendy has been instrumental in the development and implementation of many of Strong4Life’s initiatives aiming to impact child wellness in Georgia. Palmer earned her bachelor’s from Ithaca College in community health education and master’s in health care policy and management. She completed a dietetic internship at State University of New York at Stony Brook.
April 9 | Infectious Disease: Measles | Amber Schmidtke, PhD
Dr. Schmidtke received her PhD in medical microbiology and immunology from Creighton University School of Medicine. Before her current role as associate professor of microbiology and assistant dean of student success at Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine, she was an assistant professor at Mercer University School of Medicine and worked in public health at the CDC. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Schmidtke became one of the most trusted voices in Georgia and the South, authoring a popular newsletter and podcast, consulting government and private entities, and offering countless media interviews.
Upcoming:
- June 18 | Hematology (date and topic updated)
- July 9 | Arthritis and Joint Conditions
- August 13 | Dermatology
- September 10 | Rural Pediatric Case Study
- October 8 | Sports Injuries and Physical Therapy
- November 12 | Epilepsy and Nervous Disorders
Pediatric Alliance Webinar Series (PAWS) 2025
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Rural Pediatric Continuing Education Conference
May 16, 2025 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
The Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center will host a free in-person, full-day continuing education conference in the Presidents Dining Room on Mercer University’s Macon campus on May 16.
Conference Topics:
Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease | Neha Desai, DO Pediatric Hematology, Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta; Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine
Measles: The Newest Outbreak | Amber Schmidtke, PhD Associate Professor of Microbiology and Assistant Dean of Student Success, Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Concussion Management in the Primary Care Office | Stephen Miller, MD, FAAP Pediatric Primary Care Sports Medicine, CPG – Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Hypertension in Children | Michelle C. Wallace, MD Medical Director, Preventive Cardiology, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Cardiology; Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine
Pediatric Endocrinology | Jessica Hutchins, MD, Pediatric Endocrinologist, Atrium Health Levine Children’s; Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Mercer University School of Medicine
Telehealth Matters: Keeping Rural Pediatric Care Close to Home | Ed Honeycutt Senior Telehealth Project Manager, Mercer University School of Medicine
Panel Discussion: Lessons from Rural GA Pediatric Providers—Bridging Gaps in Address Patient Challenges
Credits:
CME and CNE Credits are available: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Medical Educational Council of Pensacola and Mercer University School of Medicine. MECOP is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The Medical Educational Council of Pensacola designates this live activity for a maximum of 5.5 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM.
Register:
NOTE: If you do not receive a confirmation email after submitting the form, you are not registered. Please contact Amanda Livingston at livingston_aa@georgiaruralhealth.org for assistance.
Registration for this event is now closed.
Autism in Rural Georgia Conference
July 17-18, 2025 | 9 a.m-4 p.m.
This is a skills-based, two-day conference exploring the latest developments and practical solutions for autism care. It will be held in the Presidents Dining Room on Mercer University’s Macon campus.
Who should attend?
- Families and caregivers
- Day care providers
- School professionals
- Physicians and health care workers
Free event, lunch provided. Continuing education credits available.
Conference Topics:
- Understanding Autistic Youth
- Navigating the Katie Beckett Medicaid Program
- Family Support Services
- Autism Toolkit of Georgia
- Practical Solutions for Feeding Challenges/Improving Nutrition and Mealtime Behavior
- Breakout Sessions: Preparing for Medical Appointments, Communication Techniques, Community Outings, Strategies to Understand and Reduce Challenging Behavior
Conference topics are subject to change. We will publish a finalized list of topics with speakers.
Credits:
CME and CNE Credits are available: Credit information is pending.
Register:
NOTE: If you do not receive a confirmation email after submitting the form, you are not registered. Please contact Amanda Livingston at livingston_aa@georgiaruralhealth.org for assistance.
Autism in Rural Georgia Conference 2025
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REPLAY: 2024 Pediatric Alliance Speakers Series
January 31: Neonatal Jaundice | Anu Pavuluri, MD
February 14: Rural Pediatric Case Study – Sleep Medicine: Bridging Gaps in Care for Sleep Challenges | Jennifer Tarbutton, MD, FAAP
March 13: Virtual Speech Therapy | Ashley Moates, M.S., CCC-SLP and Chris Moates, MBA
April 10: Rural Pediatric Case Study- The Presenting Signs and Symptoms of Pediatric Cancer | Brittany Lord, MD
June 12: Diabetes and Endocrinology | Shruthi Arora, MD
July 17: Developing a Pediatric Medical Ecosystem | Don Nakayama, MD
August 14: Management of Newborn Syphilis and HIV | Maddie Goldstein, DO
September 11: Autism | Nathan Call, PhD, BCBA-D
October 9: Primary Care Clinic Application of Quality Improvement Methods | Brad Weselman, MD, FAAP; Camran Caldwell
November 13: Rural Pediatric Case Study | Jonathan Poon, MD, FAAFP
November 20: Immunizations: Vaccine Hesitancy and Rebuilding Trust | William Matthew Linam, MD, MS